Subjects

12.16.2014

I am finishing up a project in collaboration with Cure 4 the Kids and Kids & Art. I ran a small workshop with 5 kids (ages 8-15) where each child drew their own monster. I then took the drawings and interpreted them to create sculptures using Zbrush and rapid prototyping. I also built and lit a shadowbox to house the characters.

The drawings, sculptures, and installation will all be available to view at the Sahara West Library next month (January 2015.)

In October, I had the opportunity to create, direct, and choreograph a 6 minute piece of theatre using artists from the Nevada Ballet and Cirque du Soleil as part of A Choreographers' Showcase.

This piece is my first time choreographing / directing a work of live theater. I also fabricated the masks and the headpiece for the monster.

While some things get lost in translation - you can't see the big projection in the background that I made near the end - a video of the piece is here:

More photos will be posted when they are released by Cirque / NBT. The entire process was really incredible, and pretty unmatched considering I had the chance to see a vision from my head realized in a professional theater with custom music, lighting, and costumes.

Martin St-Pierre composed and wrote the piece's haunting score (website)

Michelle Meltzer, Stephan Azulay, and Shingo Yokoyama danced in the piece and all contributed additional choreography. Additionally, we got to work with 4 kids from the NBT future dance program.

Sean Jensen lit the piece, giving it a powerful visual presence.

Yukako Kobayashi fabricated the costume for the monster - an incredible piece of hand stitched fabric, which I will post shots of when able.

Chris Larson provided the costumes for the two dancers and was spot on with their looks.

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The piece is intended as a dark, allegorical fairy tale that can be interpreted in a number of ways. 'Arratu' is an ancient Akkadian word for "curse."

About Kent

I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2010 with a BFA in Art & Design, was a member of the 2010 NCAA winning championship gymnastics team, and I currently perform with Cirque du Soleil in Mystère.